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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheetl.

J. E. RUEBSAM.

MUSCLE BBATER.

Patented Aug. 4, 1885.

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Rm 8 8 1 A v 0 u A d an t n e t a P [Pk/EH ffiim 7 a ar/M N. PETERS. Fido-WW UNITED STATns PATENT Trice.

JOHN E. RUEBSAM, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MUSCLE-BEATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,447, dated August 4, 1885.

(X0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may cancer-n:

Be it known that I, J OHN E. RUEBSAM, of the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and Improved MuscleBeater; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figures 1, 2, and 3 are front views of my im proved muscle-beater, showing different arrangements of the beating-cushions. Fig. i is a rear view, partly in vertical section, of the form of beater shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of the same. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section in a plane indicated by the line 6 6 in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of one of the balls shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Like letters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A is the handle or stock of the heater, in the upper end of which are cut a series of longitudinally-extending holes, a a. In these holes are inserted elastic rods B 13, made of a suitable light and elastic material-such as rattan, whalebone, or coiled steel springs. These rods fit nicely in the holes a a, but are not fast ened therein, since it is essential that they may be easily removed. Any desirable nuInher of these rods may be fitted into the stock A, the number shown being a convenient and proper number. These rods, with the stock, constitute the frame-work of the beater, which supports the beating-cushions.

The beatiug-cushions which I employ consist of tubes 0 (J and balls D D. These tubes and balls are composed of a suitable soft and elastic material, such as vulcanized indie-rubher, and may be of different diameters and of varying thicknesses, depending upon the con dition of the user and the character of treatmentto be given.

In arranging the bcating cushions on the frame one of the tubes 0 C, which are open at both ends, is placed over each of the rods B B. The rods slightly exceed the tubes in length, so that they project slightly beyond the ends of the tubes.

The tubes are retained in position on the rods, and at the same time the rods are retained in the stock by the following means: The ends of the rods, which project above the tubes,

are formed with annular recesses b b, above which the ends are rounded to form knobs c 0. Upon the rear side of the stock A are attached knobs or buttons (1 d. The tubes 0 O are held in position by elastic bands E, which are secured at opposite ends to the knobs c and buttons d. The elastic bands are provided with suitable holes, 6 e, which fit over the knobs and retain them in place, and at the same time permit them to be readily removed. Instead of the elastic bands an endless elastic cord, F, may be used. These elastic bands not only serve to hold the parts together, but also limit the movement of the rods without making them too rigid.

In muscle-heaters which are provided with elastic tubes which fit over rods rigidly secured to a stock or handle, the vibration of the rods causes them very frequently to break off at the point where they join the handle. This difiiculty is entirely obviated by the employment of the rods,which are removably held in the handle and by the elastic securingbands. This arrangement permits a vertical movement of the rods in their holes sufficient to relieve them of the strain caused by their vibration. The heaters thus formed are used for the purpose of manipulating and beating the skin and muscles in order to increase the circulation of the blood and attain the other advantages incidental to such treatment. The object sought to be obtained in these heaters is to imitate as nearly as possible the structure of the human hand. The flexible rods may be considered as representing the bones, the clastic tubes representing the flesh, and the eiastie bands or cords the sinews. The heater is used either flat or edgewise, depending upon the part of the body to be treated; and in using the heaters large tubes are used where it is desired to strike a greater surface, and thin tubes are used in case the skin is tender.

Each of the rods B Bis ordinarily composed of a single piece, as is shown in Fig. 4; but in some cases and for some purposes the rods may be jointed. Such a rod is shown in Fig. 5, where the rod is composed of three sections, jointed or hinged at f f. These joints permit the rods to bend or fold only in one direction, and the rod is held normally straight by the tension of the elastic band C, which is located on the side opposite the joints. A muscle beater thus provided with jointed rods still more closely resembles the structure of the human hand, the joints in the rods representing the finger-joints. These jointed rods permit the beating tubes to bend to conform with the curves of the body.

It is very desirable for the manipulation of certain parts of the body to use balls instead of tubes as the beatingcushions-as, for example, along the spine. In case it is desired to use balls the tubes 0 are removed and as many of the rods as may be desired. The balls are hollow, and are provided with apertures, g g, diametrically opposite to each other, and are secured to the rods by passing the knob end of the rod through said apertures. In using the balls one, two, or more may be placed on the ends of as many rods. Two balls placed on the ends of two rods, as shown in Fig. 2, constitute an especially convenient arrangement, particularly in beating along the spine, since with the heaters so arranged both sides of the spine may be treated at once; or, instead of so arranging the balls, a series of balls of any desired number may be arranged along the entire length of one or more of the rods, as shown in Fig. 3. In case the balls are used, as well as in the case of the tubes, the elastic securing bands or cords are used to retain the rods in position on the stock.

I claim as my invention 1. In a muscle-beater, a stock or handle provided with a series of holes and elastic rods which are removably held in said holes, in combination with elastic beating-cushions which are removably secured to said rods, substantially as set forth.

2. In a muscle-beater, a stock or handle, elastic rods removably fitted therein, and elastic beatingcushions removably secured to said rods,in combination with elastic securing cords or bands attached to the ends of said rods and to the stock. substantially as set forth.

3. In a muscle-beater, astock or handle provided with a series of holes and elastic rods removably fitted in said holes, in combination with elastic tubes which fit over said rods, said tubes being of a length less than the length of the rods, whereby the rods project beyond the ends ofsaid tubes, and elastic bands or cords which are removably attached at the opposite ends to the stock and to the projecting ends of said rods, substantially as set forth.

4. In a muscle-beater, a stock or handle, jointed rods fitted therein, and elastic tubes which fit over said rods, in combination with elastic bands or cords attached at opposite ends to the rods and stock, respectively, substantially as set forth.

J NO. E. RUEBSAM.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR S. BRowNE, SAML. H. WALKER. 

